END OF SESSION.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 16048, 2 November 1917, Page 6

END OF SESSION.

CONCLUDING BUSINESS. (PBESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) WELLINGTON, Kovember 1. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Tho Legislative Council met at 10.80 a.m., and passed the Appropriation Bill. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House of Representatives met at 10.30 a.m. After the despatch of formal business, Sir Joseph Ward stated that the Government "was in communication by cable with tho British Government on the subject of jjermitting parcels of sugar to pass through the post to our troops. The grounds on which tho application was made were that sugar was a commodity about which wo wore in no difficulty, having an ample supply and at moderate price. In the event of tho British Government not agreeing to tlio request, tho High Commissioner had been asked to. press for tho delivery of parcels on route. Sir Joseph Ward said he desired to clear up an"inference raised as the result of tho proceedings before tho Meat Trust Committee, wnen cortain members were evidently endeavouring to connect him with the American Meat Trust through his association with the Ocean Bcach Freezing Company. Ho read a telegram from the solicitors of the company to show that these freezing works wero transferred to the Fedoral Shipping Company on February 4th, 1903, and wore still owned by that company. He read further documents to show that the American Meat Trust had nothing to do with tho works, and reaffirmed his assurance that ho' was not and never had been in any way associated with tho trust. This tho committee could have discovered for themselves, had they taken the trouble to do so. Mr Nosworthy said that when tho member for Patea raised the question he based his enquiries entirely on advertisements appearing in a newspaper. Sir Joseph Ward said that tho advertisements were eighteen years old. Dr. Newman and Mr W. H. Field assured Sir Joseph Ward that tho committee was fully satisfied that ho was in no way connected with tho trust. At 11.40 the Speakor reported that the Governor-General had been pleasod to sign the Appropriation Bill. Mr Massey said that when six o'clock was before the House, ho and tho Minister of Finance had stated that something must bo dono to put tho liquor question on a more satisfactory basis, and this had given rise to misunderstandings in certain quarters. He desired to say that tho Cabinet had not been able to givo this matter consideration, but during the rccess it would bo the duty of the Cabinet to consider measures for submission to tho House next session on tho lines suggested by tho Efficiency Board. That was cither continuance or prohibition with compensation. This issue would bo decidod on a baro majority, but that would not apply to local option as now decided by tho people. Sir Joseph Ward explained that any action ho had taken on the liquor question had been dictated by his position as Minister of Finance, in which position he could not afford to sacrifice any revenue. Members then indulged in tho usual valedictory speeches, after which a division was called on tho question that the House should adjourn. The House rose at 12.30, and tho third session of tho nineteenth Parliament came tp an end by members singmg tho National Anthem.